Guiding Verse: Matthew 17:20b

For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

FAITH THAT MOVES MOUNTAINS

[Jesus] replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” — Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)

In this verse Jesus wasn’t pointing to a measurement of faith, as though we could check our faith by stepping on a scale and claiming that the extra weight comes from extra faith. (Wouldn’t that be nice?) Immediately after saying the disciples didn’t have enough faith, Jesus told them that even faith as small as a tiny mustard seed would be enough to move a mountain.

Obviously it was not the amount of faith but the focus of the faith.

Earlier in Matthew 17 the disciples had tried to cast out a demon without success. Perhaps they had tried to cast it out depending on what they considered their own power. Whatever occurred, their faith must have been in the wrong place. When they put their faith in the right place — in the all-powerful God — then even a tiny grain of faith would be enough.

Nothing is impossible when our faith is in God.

This kind of faith moves mountains and makes all things possible. At times we may feel that we have great faith; at other times we may feel that our faith is suffering. In the end, however, if even that suffering faith is in God, then it is enough to do the impossible!

God’s Promise to Me

If you have faith in Me as small as a mustard seed, then it is enough faith to move mountains and do the impossible.

My Prayer to God

You promise, Lord, that with faith in You nothing is impossible. Thank you for being the God of the possible. Help me to remember that my faith, even small and weak, can do great things for You.

Zondervan FaithGateway Devotional, September 4, 2013